Andrew Pereira, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
(Pronouns: He/Him/His)
Contact information
In-Network Insurance
- Premera/Lifewise
- Most BCBS Plans
- Kaiser PPO/First Choice
- Kaiser HMO with pre-authorization
- Lyra
- Eligible for Out-of-Network benefits
A Bit About Me
Hi and thank you for your interest in my work life! I’m a California-born transplant to the PNW, where I spent several years enjoying our vibrant nature prior to earning my doctorate near Dallas, Texas. A few years ago, I moved back to the area with my partner and dog to finish up the program, and now I am proud to call Seattle my home.
Others would describe me as a little bit silly, playful, and nerdy, with a touch of philosophy. I grew up in a strictly religious Brazilian/Portuguese household, and my own queer identity helped to challenge ingrained belief systems, learning life lessons that I have carried through my professional development. I now see myself as a vehicle for change as I touch people’s lives and help dismantle the systems of oppression that we all face. Together I hope to assist in bringing your experiences into visibility, in a space that is affirming, collaborative, liberating, and transformative.
Outside of work I play card games with friends, enjoy reading and watching new shows with my partner at home, cooking the latest TikTok trends, and I also knit scarfs for holiday gifts throughout the year.
Session to session my clients often notice that I may not feel similar in style to other counselors they’ve met. I tend to be more interactive, and you get to see who I am not just as a therapist but as a person. As we get to know each other and feel trust between us, we will explore your current life, memories, and emotions at your pace, in a space that we built together to be a confidential haven for your personhood. I see my role as gently and respectfully offering my observations, even if they may be difficult to hear and against the invisible social rules that bind us. We use the clinical relationship as a place of experimenting/exploring a new way of being and connecting with ourselves and others.
You and I will hold your pain, joy, and the intersectionality of your identities in a frame that is decolonized, emphasizes the importance of community, connection, nature, and authenticity. As we work to create healing inside the room where we talk, I will help guide your growth outside of sessions as you live your life with greater intention. I typically see the greatest change with effort both inside and outside my office.
The types of activities we may encounter are storytelling, creative emotional expression, meditation and grounding, sensory reflection, trauma focused processing, bibliotherapy for those who enjoy structure, and courageous exploration of important identities. I also see myself as an advocate for your emotional well-being and strive to provide gender affirming services, such as letter writing and assessment, as well as referral services for other needs you may have. At the end of your sessions, if there is a question that baffles us, I will work through my connections to help guide us towards the goals we identify.
My clinical focus is centered on the healing connection possible between two people in a counseling relationship. Although I am trained as a generalist and tend to be more integrative of evidence-based treatment, in my heart I am a relational counselor who enjoys the model of Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), which is rooted in feminism, interpersonal theories, and multicultural theories. This type of work highlights the ways that you attach and connect with others in your life, or don’t, and the experiences that have taught you these lessons and may have helped to shape your approach. Together we honor experiences of trauma, oppression, the influence of family, friends, culture, and the myriad of images in your mind that root us in our behaviors and psychological pain. In my work I believe in honoring the importance of symbolism, intergenerational experiences, and the impact of mistreatment on current psychological functioning.
This type of meaning-making and transformation requires enough safety between us for fluid exploration, and as such my clinical practice is rooted in social justice, anti-oppression, forgiveness, decolonized (to the extent possible in our current societal realities), and celebrates queer identities, neurodiversity, disability, fatness, and actively dismantles the “isms” and stigma society places on our shoulders. I strive to foster humility in our differences and delight within individuality.
University of North Texas
PhD in Counseling Psychology (2021)
MS in Psychology (2017)
Eastern Washington University
BA in Psychology (2013)
Outpatient adult counseling and comprehensive psychological assessment
Lightheart Psychological Associates, Redmond, WA
Community Counseling Center, University of North Texas, Denton
Outpatient counseling
Lifestance, Seattle, WA
Counseling Center, University of Washington, Seattle
Family Advocacy Center, Irving, TX (trauma focused)
Counseling Center, University of Texas, Dallas
Counseling and Testing, University of North Texas, Denton (vocational emphasis)
Areas of Expertise
- Depression, anxiety, and attention symptoms
- Chronic and persistent loneliness, isolation, and low mood
- Queer identity development, intersectionality, bicultural issues
- Queer spirituality, religious trauma, and communal healing
- Discrimination, racism, heterosexism, and oppressive stress
- Latinx mental health concerns, undocumented experiences, and immigration stress
- General life adjustment
- Relationship issues, communication, and improving meaningful connection
- Grief work
- Vocational and academic uncertainty, challenges
- Disordered eating and exercise behaviors
- Family dynamics and systems work
- Community access, referrals, training, and consultation
- Group process work
I adhere to the ethical code as established by the American Psychological Association, and the professional standards as described in the Washington State Psychology Licensing Laws (RCW 18.83, 18.130, and WAC 308-122). If you have any concerns about the treatment you receive, please feel free to discuss them with me. If I fail to respond to your satisfaction, you have the right to register a complaint with the Department of Health, Washington State Examining Board of Psychology, PO Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504, (253) 753-2147. You may also register a complaint to the Ethics Committee of the Washington State Psychological Association at (206) 363-9772.